Plasma-enhanced synthesis of maltodextrin-polydimethylsiloxane graft copolymers

Ether‐extracted maltodextrin (MD) powder was surface functionalized under 13.56‐MHz RF–SiCl4‐plasma conditions, and consecutively in situ aminated and grafted using dichlorodimethylsilane. Survey and high‐resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FTIR evaluations, fluorescence‐labeling technique, SEM, and DTA/TG analyses prove the presence of a graft‐copolymer layer on the modified starch‐granule surfaces and the existence of a significantly changed surface morphology of the starch granules, as a result of the grafting reactions. The hydrophobic nature of the polydimethylsiloxane‐grafted starch and its significantly changed thermal behaviors were also evaluated. Potential applications of modified maltodextrins are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1120–1129, 2001